Brain adapts in both function and structure due to change in environment e.g. due to damage or learning new skills
Functional Recovery
Function lost once is performed by undamaged areas of the brain (reorganisation)
Synaptic Pruning
Synapses used frequently are stronger, unused are lost, creating a more efficient communication system
Axonal Sprouting
Existing neurons grow new axons to make connections with adjacent neurons
Denervation Supersensitivity
Remaining axons are more likely to fire AP due to a loss of nerves in that specific area, linking to more pain in that area
Factors affecting Plasticity
Age - Children have best recovery
Gender - Women can recover more
Constraint Induced Therapy - Stop using undamaged nerves as an alternative
(+) A03: Maguire (2000)
MRI of 16 Male taxi drivers compared to 16 male non-taxi drivers showed that the posterior hippocampi was larger in taxi drivers, suggesting the physical structure of the brain is plastic as it has expanded
(+) A03: Neurohabilitation
Supports idea of movement therapy and electrical stimulation, supporting the idea that the brain has the ability to heal itself to a certain point
(-) A03: Mathia (2015)
Meta Analysis showed varying levels of plasticity due to IQ and Education levels, some participants have greater cognitive reserves helping recovery
